5 Biggest Letdowns From NFL Week 7 on Sunday, Including Josh Jacobs and the Panthers

October 26, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another action-packed football Sunday is in the books, and now it’s time to reflect on the biggest letdowns from NFL Week 7. This week, that list includes Josh Jacobs and the Carolina Panthers, but they’re certainly not alone.

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Carolina Panthers

Oct 25, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Heading into Sunday, the Carolina Panthers were in first place of the NFC South, with a 3-2 record. But they didn’t show up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an important divisional showdown. It was Baker Mayfield’s first game back after missing three starts due to injury, but he only needed to attempt 11 passes. The Bucs still scored 43 points, thanks in large part to a dominant rushing attack that led to 258 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging a robust 5.3 yards per carry. Carolina’s defense was simply atrocious, especially in the second quarter when they allowed 26 points, letting the fan base down in a big way.

San Francisco 49ers

Oct 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks off the field after their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers’ offense had a bad game. While they had no issue racking up 400 yards of offense, they also committed four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles). Of course, the 49ers won’t have many games like this, and they also ran into a good Falcons team that had everything go their way on Sunday.

Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.

Heading into Week 7 with the NFL’s worst rushing offense, Josh Jacobs didn’t offer any salvation on Sunday. The former First-Team All-Pro struggled too, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry on 11 attempts. The Green Bay Packers were greatly looking forward to Jacobs’ return, but he let the team down in this one.

New York Jets

Oct 25, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets kicker Jason Sanders (19) kicks a field goal during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

In a game where the New York Jets lost by just three points, it’s hard to forget the missed field goal off the uprights that Jason Sanders had in the third quarter with his team trailing 21-7. Plus, the Jets embarrassed themselves by letting the Miami Dolphins get their first win of the season. Even though the Jets outgained the Dolphins while averaging a robust 7.1 yards per carry, they weren’t able to get the job done, letting their fan base down in the process.

Houston Texans

Oct 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

While the New York Giants have a better record than the Houston Texans, this was a game that DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud’s team should have been able to win as the Giants were starting their third different QB this season, this time rolling with the inexperienced J.J. McCarthy. It’s a matchup that last year’s Texans defense would have dominated, but this time the young QB got the best of them.

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